IIM Tiruchirappalli's Daksha 2.0: Navigating Leadership in an Age of Disruption; Check Details Here

New Delhi: The second edition of the Leadership Conclave "Daksha 2.0" was organized by the Indian Institute of Management Tiruchirappalli,on August 26, 2023. The conclave revolved around the theme "Leadership in The Age of Disruption." 

The Daksha series reflects the IIM Trichy's commitment to ongoing learning, and the event's engaging discussions encouraged participants to view disruptions positively and explore strategies for harnessing these changes. The conclave featured insightful dialogues led by 29 industry experts, who participated in two panel discussions and five round table sessions.

The distinguished presence of Thiru R.N Ravi, the Honourable Governor of Tamil Nadu, graced the occasion as he inaugurated Daksha 2.0. The Governor expressed his excitement about interacting with youthful minds brimming with energy and eagerness, driven to propel India towards its true potential. 

He articulated the evident transformation unfolding within our nation, highlighting India's growing global economic and political influence. Moreover, he pointed to the significance of nurturing confidence in upholding our commitments and fostering self-reliance. 

In relation to Daksha 2.0's theme, the Governor highlighted that disruptions seldom occur accidentally; those astute enough to detect the subtle shifts and early indicators of change are the ones who emerge as astute leaders.

He stressed the necessity for individuals to transform into disruptive leaders, those who instigate change even when faced with challenges. Such leaders, he noted, possess unwavering fearlessness and courage to instigate challenging adjustments, stepping beyond their comfort zones. 

Further, the Governor underlined the significance of maintaining a proactive stance and developing comprehensive solutions to complex problems. He reiterated that a true leader embodies a growth-focused, forward-thinking perspective, complemented by creativity and unconventional thought. 

Encouraging students, he urged them to not only embrace change but also attune themselves to the pulse of the new India, drawing inspiration from it. Concluding his address, Thiru R.N. Ravi highlighted the imperative of not just harboring ambitious dreams, but following through with persistent effort and self-discipline.

Addressing the assembly, Dr. Pawan Kumar Singh, the Director of IIM Tiruchirappalli faculty, extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest, esteemed guest speakers, faculty members, students, staff, media representatives, and the Daksha team. 

He remarked on the vibrant energy that permeates the campus, highlighting its dynamic nature. Moreover, he spoke about the institute's dedication to achieving excellence, evident in its AMBA accreditation, and expressed gratitude to Tiruchirappalli for furnishing an ideal environment that propels the institute toward success.

Subsequently, he acquainted the audience with the theme of Daksha 2.0, titled "Leadership in the Era of Disruption." Dr. Singh elaborated that adept leaders flourish amidst the constantly evolving business landscape through the cultivation of agility and innovation. 

He added that comprehending disruptions eradicates the apprehension of change, enabling individuals to warmly embrace transformation. Following the inauguration ceremony, the Honourable Governor engaged in a meet-and-greet session with the students of IIM Tiruchirappalli.

The inaugural panel discussion revolved around the topic of "Strategic Leadership in the Era of Disruption." Guided by moderator Prof. Mukundhan K.V from the Faculty of Strategy at IIM Tiruchirappalli, the panel came to life with insightful inputs from distinguished speakers: Dr. K. Ratnam, CEO of Milky Mist; Ms. Divya Karani, Board Director at Jagran Prakashan and Media Research Users Council; Mr. Praveen Vukkalam, Managing Director at Barclays; and Dr. Natesan Kumaraswamy, President at the Office of Strategic Management, Sakthi Finance Ltd.

The second panel, moderated by Prof. Abhishek Totawar from the Faculty of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management at IIM Tiruchirappalli, featured an engaging discussion. Esteemed speakers included Mr. Prasad Menon, Chief People Officer at Amagi Corporation; Ms. Swati Mehta, Vice President of HR at HCCB Pvt Ltd.; Mr. Rajesh Kurup, Chief Human Resources Officer at RASI Seeds; and Mr. Balaji Venkitaramasubramanian, Director of HR at Dormakaba. This panel's theme centered around "Leading with Purpose."

The first Panel discussion focused on “Strategic Leadership in The Age of Disruption”, The Panel was brought to life by moderator Prof. Mukundhan K.V, Faculty of Strategy, IIM Tiruchirappalli and the speakers Dr. K. Rathnam, CEO, Milky Mist; Ms. Divya Karani, Board Director, Jagran Prakashan and Media Research Users Council; Mr. Praveen Vukkalam, MD, Barclays and Dr. Natesan Kumaraswamy, President – Office of Strategic Management, Sakthi Finance Ltd.

The initial round table conversation centered on the topic of "Strategic Innovation in the Traditional Banking System." Guided by moderator Prof. Saravanan P from the Faculty of Finance and Accounting at IIM Tiruchirappalli, the discussion involved accomplished speakers: Mr. Pancham Taneja, Country Head at Delta Capita; Mr. Manikantan T, Senior Vice President of Finance Operations at Mphasis; Mr. Mohit Mittal, Co-head of Investment Research at Acuity Knowledge Partners; and Mr. Sankara Raman Mahadevan, Senior Vice President at HSBC.

The subsequent round table delved into the subject of "Tech-Tonic Shift: The Future of Supply Chain." Facilitated by moderator Prof. Sirish Kumar Gouda from the Faculty of Operations Management & Decision Sciences at IIM Tiruchirappalli, the discussion featured insights from esteemed speakers: Mr. Virupakshappa Hovale, Country General Manager at Bosch Rexroth; Mr. Rakesh Singh, Senior Operation Specialist at FedEx Logistics; Mr. Prashanth Venkataramana, Co-Founder & CEO of Essmart; and Mr. Mrinal Chakraborty, Director of Channel Business & Network Development at DTDC Express Ltd.

The focus of the third round table discussion was "Adapting to the Evolving Landscape of Talent Management." Led by moderator Prof. Sajeet Pradhan from the Faculty of Organizational Behaviour & Human Resource Management at IIM Tiruchirappalli, this discussion featured participation from esteemed speakers: Mr. Hemant Kumar Ravi, Head of Human Resources at Kantar; Ms. Chandini Kamal, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Employee Engagement & Experience, Wellness, Rewards & Recognition, and Global Head of HR at HCL Technologies; Mr. Praveen Kamath Kumbla, General Manager of HR for Global Strategic Hiring & Redeployment at Wipro; and Mr. Subramanian S, Senior Lead for Early Talent Program at bp.

The fourth round table discussed "Navigating Disruption: Enhancing Marketing Reach and Engagement." Moderated by Prof. Suresh Paul Antony from the Marketing Faculty at IIM Tiruchirappalli, this conversation featured insights from accomplished speakers: Ms. Ashwani Dhawan, CEO and Founder of Broadway Infotech; Mr. Vijay Murugan, Country Head of Direct Sales at Jones Lang Lasalle; Ms. Pooja Gupta, Head of Sales for North & East India at LinkedIn; and Mr. Vipin Thomas, Vice President of Revenue Operations at Survey Sparrow.

The main point of the fifth round table conversation was "Opportunities and Challenges in AI-Powered Product Management." Guided by moderator Prof. Manikandan K S from the Faculty of Strategy at IIM Tiruchirappalli, the discussion welcomed insightful perspectives from distinguished speakers: Mr. Rohit Gupta, Director of Product Management at Data Axle; Ms. Shraddha Majali, Head South and Deputy General Manager of Digitization & Buildings at Schneider Electric India Pvt. Limited; Mr. Robin John, Artificial Intelligence Strategist for APAC at Kimberly-Clark; and Mr. Ashwinikumar Patil, Director of Product Management at Walmart Global Tech India.

The valedictory ceremony featured a keynote address by Mr. Siva Kumar Padmanabhan, Managing Director and Head of the Global Innovation & Technology Centre at AstraZeneca India Pvt. Ltd. 

He extended his appreciation to the invited speakers for their insightful sessions and commended the valuable knowledge shared during the conclave. 

Elaborating the evolving nature of leadership, highlighting its shift towards a more purpose-driven approach and its correlation with managing and navigating through disruptions, Padmanabhan shared insights into his personal leadership journey, spanning from knowledge-centric leadership to a more human-centric style.

The Director of IIM Tiruchirappalli, Dr. Pawan Kumar Singh, had the honor of presenting mementos to Mr. Siva Kumar Padmanabhan. 

Expressing gratitude, Prof. Abhishek Totawar, the Chairperson of Placement at IIM Tiruchirappalli, acknowledged the Honourable Governor's presence and appreciated his insightful discourse on leadership in a perpetually high-stakes context. The conclave concluded with the rendition of the National Anthem.

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